Life Events

July 15, 1939 - August 2, 2010
Eric Thirtle, 71, of Kalona, Iowa, died Monday, August 2, 2010, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona following a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 6, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. in the Kalona Mennonite Church in Kalona with Pastor Marv Feigenspan and Pastor Tim Endecott officiating. Burial will follow in the East Union Cemetery, rural Kalona. Visitation will begin Thursday, August 5 at 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona where the family will greet friends from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the National Kidney Foundation and the Kalona First Responders. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.peterseimfuneralservice.com.
Eric Thirtle was born July 15, 1939, in Aylesbury, England, the son of Arthur Charles and Mary Helen (Messam) Thirtle. He graduated from school in England. He was united in marriage to Doris Schrock August 12, 1967, at the East Union Mennonite Church in rural Kalona. Mr. Thirtle was a custodian for many years until retiring due to health complications. He attended The Church of God Seven Day Adventist in Marion and the High Point City Church in Iowa City. He enjoyed classical music, playing solitaire, driving his Amish friends and watching old British comedies.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Thirtle, Kalona; a son, Myron Thirtle, Kalona; two daughters and spouses, Crystal (Andy) Wade, West Chester, Iowa; Joyce (Barry) Butler, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three grandchildren, Brandon, Ella, Liana Wade; two honorary grandchildren, Josh Burton and Jacob Kinder; a brother, Ian Thirtle, of England; and a sister, Anne (Jim) Williams, of England.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

October 1, 1925 - August 1, 2010
Bette M. Moore, 84, of Washington, Iowa, died Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington following a lengthy illness.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, August 4, in the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor David L. Yoder officiating. The body was cremated. A memorial fund has been established for the Humane Society. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.peterseimfuneralhome.com.
Bette Marie Yoder was born October 1, 1925, in Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of Henry S. and Louisa (Jacobs) Yoder. She attended Kalona High School. July 11, 1943, she was united in marriage to Vernon Beenblossom. He was killed in action in WWII in Germany March 18, 1945. Mrs. Beenblossom married Harold Moore June 20, 1945, and he preceded her in death in 1986.
Mrs. Moore owned and operated the Kalona Café from 1952 – 1955, worked as a waitress at the State Café and The Frontier Restaurant in Washington, and the Congress Hotel. She lived in Davenport for several years and she and her husband sold Diamond Mobile Homes. She returned to Kalona in 1972 where she lived until moving to Washington, where she and Mr. Moore owned an antique store, specializing in Roseville Pottery. Mrs. Moore was a member of the Order of The Eastern Star where she served as Past Worthy Matron. She enjoyed hunting mushrooms, fishing, playing cards and spending time with her beloved poodle, Amy.
She is survived by six sisters-in-law, Opal Goodwin, Washington, Iowa; Alice Ayers, Millersburg, Iowa; Mildred Moore, Muscatine, Iowa; Joan Moore, Muscatine; Rita Moore, Phoenix, Arizona; Marianne Moore, Tuscan, Arizona; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Richard and William Yoder; and a sister, Dorothy Smith.

January 26, 1918 - July 25, 2010
Donald L. Taylor, 92, of Davenport, Iowa, died Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Crest Health Center in Davenport. Private graveside services were held at the Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or WVIK Public Radio in Rock Island. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.
Donald L. Taylor was born January 26, 1918, in Wellman, Iowa, the son of Albert L. and Myrtle B. (Chase) Taylor. He entered the United States Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Taylor was employed at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he met the love of his life, LaVerne S. Larson. They were married June 6, 1948, in Norway, Iowa. After 60 years of marriage, she preceded him in death August 9, 2008.
Mr. Taylor earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa in 1950, graduating third in his class. While there, he also earned a letter playing for the Hawkeye golf team. Upon graduating, he accepted a position with Advance Ross Electronics in Burlington, Iowa. He was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 1967 which moved them to Chicago, Illinois, until 1972. He later retired from Motorola in Joplin, Missouri, as Plant Manager.
Mr. Taylor had a life-long passion for the game of golf, enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Cubs, fishing, spending time with friends and family especially his grandchildren whom he loved dearly, had a love of nature, and traveling. He served on various church councils and was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Bettendorf, Iowa.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marty and Paul Pearson, Davenport; his granddaughters, Jill Walsh and her husband Matt, Bettendorf; Jodie Pearson and her fiancé Chris Carlson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his great-granddaughter, Ada Walsh; his sister, Geneva McShane, Clovis, California; two special nieces, Zona Larson and Darcy McShane in California; and a nephew, Mike McShane in Minnesota.

September 30, 1920 - July 22, 2010
Alice M. Goodwin, 89, of Kalona, Iowa, died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 31, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the Kalona United Methodist Church in Kalona, Iowa, with Pastor Gerry Kahler officiating. Burial will follow in the Wellman Public Cemetery, Wellman, Iowa. Visitation is Friday, July 30, from 2-4 and 5-7 p.m. at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for the Kalona United Methodist Church.
Alice Mary Malatek was born September 30, 1920 in Morse, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Clara (Svoboda) Malatek. She was married to Arden Goodwin September 18, 1940, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. The couple lived on a farm near Wellman until 1984. After Arden’s death, Mrs. Goodwin moved to Kalona and lived in her home until moving to Pleasantview Home in 2001.
Mrs. Goodwin was a member of the Kalona United Methodist Church where she enjoyed the fellowship of assisting with the kitchen work for many dinners and social events. She was a farm wife who worked in her garden, played bingo, worked puzzles and enjoyed Hawkeye sports. She also was employed at Owen Brush from 1958 until 1983.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Sandra and Richard Stockman, Oxford, Iowa; Duane and Karen Goodwin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Charlotte and Dennis Parrott, Iowa City, Iowa; Shirley and Allen Kos, Kalona, Iowa; Brenda and Dennis Griffith, Iowa City; 18 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arden (1984); and five siblings, Roy Malatek, Gladys Mayrose, Bernice Grimm, Marvin Malatek, and Francis Malatek.

May 28, 2002 - July 16, 2010
Funeral services for Gabriel Graham, 8, son of Steve Graham and Michael and Andrea Frantz, were Tuesday in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Hills, Iowa, with graveside services in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, rural Hills.
Graham died of injuries sustained in a multiple vehicle accident near Owatonna, Minnesota, July 16, 2010.
A Gabe Graham Memorial Fund has been established at Hills Bank and Trust. Lensing Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of arrangements.
Gabe was born May 28, 2002, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Steve Graham and Andrea Kratz and had finished second grade at Hills Elementary School.
He is survived by his parents, Michael and Andrea Frantz of Hills; Steve Graham, North Liberty; a brother, Cole, of Hills; two sisters, Brianna, of Kansas City, Missouri; Haley, of Kalona; grandparents, Tally Albertson, Garner, Iowa; Dave and Kelley Kratz, Clear Lake, Iowa; Jim and Hope Frantz, Riverside, Iowa; Steve Sr. and Sandy Graham, Terry and Dave Roeder and Tim and Vicki Kezar, all of Waterloo, Iowa; great-grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

June 18, 1915 - July 22, 2010
Pauline Dill, 95, of Keota, Iowa, died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at the Washington County Hospital in Washington, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the United Church of Faith in Keota, with Rev. Dennis Hopes officiating. Burial was in the Keota Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Ron Dill Memorial Field or Keota QRS. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.
Pauline Hicks was born June 18, 1915, in Wellman, Iowa, to Frank L. and Cora O. (King) Hicks. She graduated from Wellman High School in 1934 and took one year of Business Training in Iowa City. January 18, 1939, she married Glen “Whitie” Dill in Sigourney, Iowa. Mrs. Dill was a secretary for an attorney in Wellman for seven years, Keota High School secretary for seven years and retired from Pioneer Mutual Insurance Association in 1984 after 16 years of employment. She was a member of the United Church of Faith in Keota and Women United and enjoyed reading and handiwork.
Survivors include two sons, Jerry L. Dill and wife Ruth Ann, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; William G. “Bill” Dill and wife Jackie, Grinnell, Iowa; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” Dill, Keota; six grandsons; eight great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Sam Hicks, Murray, Kentucky.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1980; a son, Ronald Dill in 1984; and two brothers, Marvin and Darwin Hicks.

January 25, 1938 - July 16, 2010
Linda Lee Dawson, 72, of Iowa City, Iowa, passed away Friday, July 16, 2010, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics,
Iowa City. Funeral service was Tuesday, July 20, 2010, in Lemke Funeral Homes, South Chapel, 2610 Manufacturing Drive, Iowa City, with Pastor Ryan Carpenter officiating. Burial was in Clinton Lawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.lemkefuneral.com.
Linda Caven was born January 25, 1938, the daughter of Leonard and Alice (Marvin) Caven, in Maquoketa, Iowa. She married Jim Dawson on March 20, 1961, in Morrison, Illinois. They were married for 29 years. Mrs. Dawson worked as a home health aide. She enjoyed gardening, riding her bike, going to the casino, and most of all she truly loved her grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter, Monica (Dirk) Rich, Kalona, Iowa; a son, Bruce (Ana) Dawson, Pella, Iowa; a granddaughter, Bryana Dawson, Pella, Iowa; four grandsons, Bryce and Devon Dawson, Pella, Iowa; Jared (Becca) Droll, Wellman, Iowa; Derek Rich, Kalona, Iowa; six sisters, Iona Brewer, Clinton, Iowa; Betty Sear, Clinton; Carol (Calvin) Neymeyer, Clinton; Patricia (John) Bahnsen, Clinton; Nancy Meyer, Clinton; Mary (Jim) Clary, Clinton; two brothers, Garold (Cathy) Caven, Clinton; and Bob Caven, Clinton.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; nephew, Donnie Brewer; great nephew, Mitch Brewer; and two brothers-in-law, Lou Sear and Elmer Brewer.

July 2, 1930 - July 16, 2010
Esther Yoder, 80, of Kalona, Iowa, died Friday, July 16, 2010, at Parkview Manor in Wellman, Iowa, following a battle with kidney disease.
Celebration of life services were Sunday, July 18, 2010, in the East Union Mennonite Church in rural Kalona with Pastor Jay Miller officiating. A private family burial was held prior to the service in the East Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Washington County and the East Union Mennonite Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at peterseimfuneralhome.com. Peterseim Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Esther Miller was born July 2, 1930, in rural Kalona, the daughter of Jonas and Magdalena (Ropp) Miller. She attended rural schools in the Kalona area. She was united in marriage to Edwin L. Yoder June 3, 1951, in rural Johnson County. Mrs. Yoder was a member of the East Union Mennonite Church and enjoyed reading, sewing, quilting, playing Scrabble, gardening, architecture, and reupholstering furniture.
Survivors include her husband, Edwin Yoder, Kalona; six children and spouses, Rodney (Yvonne) Yoder, Camp Crook, South Dakota; Bob (Deb) Yoder, Kalona; Eric Yoder, Riverside, Iowa; Melanie (Mike) Schweitzer, Wellman, Iowa; Beth (Jim) Schlabaugh, Wellman; Celia (Emmanuel) French, Chicago, Illinois; five grandchildren, Megan and Stephanie Yoder, Austin and Jared Schlabaugh, Gigi French; six siblings, Richard (Martha) Miller, Kalona; Bernice Miller, Kalona; Vesta Neale, Kinross, Iowa; Mary Jane Baker, Horseshoe Bend, Arizona; Paul (Ida Fern) Miller, Kalona; Anne (Dan) Miller, Harrisonburg, Virginia; a sister-in-law, Ruby Miller, Kalona; and a brother-in-law, Levi Miller, Phoenix, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Allison Yoder; a brother, Alvin Miller; and two sisters, Fannie Miller and Lydia Miller.

Thomas H. Charlton, 71, of Wellman, Iowa, died suddenly Wednesday, June 2, 2010, in Iowa City, Iowa.
A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Charlton Fund for Archaeological Research c/o USBank, PO Box 1880, 204 E Washington St., Iowa City, IA, 52240.
Powell Funeral Home in Wellman is in charge of the arrangements. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Thomas H. Charlton was born August 17, 1938, in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, the son of Thomas H. (Harry) Charlton and Winnie (Taylor) Charlton. He received a BA in Anthropology in 1960 from the University of Toronto, and a PhD in Anthropology from Tulane University in 1966. He taught at the University of Toronto and at Grinnell College before joining the University of Iowa’s Department of Anthropology in 1967, where he continued teaching until his death. Dr. Charlton’s primary research focused on the archaeology of Mesoamerica and Mexico, in particular. He also was involved in historical archaeology in Iowa and continued excavations at the Plum Grove Historic site in Iowa City from 1974 until his death. He married Cynthia Otis in 1976 in Iowa City.
He loved Lake Ontario, the mountains, Mexico, books, stamps, and his Triumph sports cars and had a soft spot for small animals.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Otis Charlton, Wellman; a son, Thomas H. Charlton, IV, of Calgary, AB and his fiancée Karen Eldridge, Iowa City; two brothers, Eric C. Charlton and special friend Carol Burton, Calgary, AB; and William J. (Carol) Charlton, Bracebridge, Ontario; his mother-in-law, Lucille Otis, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his brother- and sister-in-law, Brian and Diane Otis, Fairfax, Iowa; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Phyllis Marie Gingerich, 80, of Kalona, Iowa, died Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona. Celebration of Life Service was Saturday, June 12, 2010, at Wellman Mennonite Church with Pastor George O’Reilly officiating. Burial was in the Wellman Mennonite Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Iowa City Hospice and Pleasantview Home. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Phyllis Marie Gingerich was born December 28, 1929, in Wellman, Iowa, the daughter of Glen and Lavanda (Fisher) Eash. She graduated from Wellman High School in 1948. August 12, 1952, she was united in marriage to Leo Glenn Gingerich at the Wellman Mennonite Church. The couple lived and farmed in rural Parnell. Mrs. Gingerich was a member of the Wellman Mennonite Church. She enjoyed baking, quilting, sewing and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Gingerich is survived by three children, Nancy Gingerich, Iowa City, Iowa; Charles Gingerich and wife Sharon, Iowa City; Angela Eash and husband Mike, Kalona; eight grandchildren, Heather Parizek (Matt), Kendra and Brent Martin; Jesse and Kyle Gingerich, Samantha Leaton (Zeph); Zachary and Seth Eash; five great-grandchildren, Skyler, Jade and Alexis Parizek, Naysa and Niah Leaton; a brother, Gene Eash (Ruth), Wellman; and a sister, Mary Kate Klopfenstine, Tucson, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo; an infant brother; two infant sisters; and a brother-in-law, Harry Klopfenstine.

Martha Kauffman Stutzman, 91, of Kalona, Iowa, died June 12, 2010. Celebration of Life services were Wednesday, June 16 in the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, rural Kalona. Burial was prior to the service with Pastors Don Patterson and Dick Swartzendruber officiating. Peterseim Funeral Home, Kalona was in charge of arrangments. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.peterseimfuneralhome.com. A memorial has been established for WMSC or Parkview Chaplaincy.
Martha H. Kauffman was born in Arthur, Illinois, March 26, 1919, the daughter of Henry and Mary Ann Stutzman Kauffman. She married John Stutzman in Kalona January 1, 1942. The couple lived in the community and farmed. Mrs. Stutzman was a member of the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church and the Lower Deer Creek Women’s Sewing Circle. She enjoyed her family and many friends and always had a happy outlook on life. Quilting was her favorite pastime and she continued to pursue this until her health started to fail. She did an untold number of baby quilts and wall hangings.
She is survived by six children, Claretta McArtor, East Moline, Illinois; Merle and wife Joyce Stutzman, Newton, Iowa; John and wife Janice Stutzman, Carlsbad, New Mexico; Harold and wife Mary Stutzman, Kalona; Laverta and husband Roger Steiner, Apple Creek, Ohio; Laverna and husband Clayton Troyer, Kalona; 16 grandchildren, Mitchell McArtor, Heath Stutzman, Michael Stutzman, Matthew Stutzman, Jonathon Troyer, Jason Stutzman, Devin Steiner, Derek Steiner, Nicole (Stutzman) Beauford, Tiffany (Stutzman) Dykstra, Jenessa Troyer, Emily Troyer, Stacey Prillaman, Lin Tank, Mellissa Green and Lindsay (Steiner) Shafer; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Clara Gingerich, Iowa City, Iowa; and two brothers, Jacob and wife Jean Kauffman, Kalona; and Harvey Kauffman, Goshen, Indiana.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John (1988); two daughters, Idella Stutzman and Marcia Stutzman; a grandson, Nathan Stutzman; a granddaughter, Sarah Troyer; a great grandson, Cody McArtor; a son-in-law, Walt McArtor; and siblings, Joe Kauffman, Katie Ann Miller, Esther Borntrager, and Levi Kauffman.

December 12, 1940 - May 23, 2010
Bertha Durst, 92, of Wellman, Iowa, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman with Rev. Rich Pippert officiating. Burial will be in the Wellman Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 26 at the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman where the family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Asbury United Methodist Church, Hospice of Washington County, and Wellman Senior Center. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Bertha Lewis was born December 12, 1917, in Wapello, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Abby (Genzler) Lewis. September 27, 1940, she was united in marriage to John Durst Sr. in Kahoka, Missouri. The couple made their home in rural Wellman. Mrs. Durst worked as a cook at Keota Community School for 21 years, and then cooked at the Wellman Senior Center for 10 years. She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, Rebekah’s, Eastern Star, HNS Club, 76 Community Club, and DAR in Keota.
Mrs. Durst is survived by four sons, John and wife Sydna Durst, Wellman; Mike Durst, Keota, Iowa; Richard and wife Bonnie Durst, Wellman; Duane Durst, Fairfield, Iowa; two daughters, Nancy Fisher, North English, Iowa; Johnette Criss, Coralville, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Mabel Law Muscatine, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Durst Sr.; a daughter-in-lawm Carol Durst; three brothers; and two sisters.